Brighton Secures Narrow Victory Over Wolves in Carabao Cup Third Round

Brighton and Hove Albion managed to secure their place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Amex Stadium on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

Brighton began the match in dominant fashion, taking an early lead with two outstanding long-range goals from Carlos Baleba and Simon Adingra in the 14th and 31st minutes, respectively. The host team maintained control for most of the first half, with Wolves struggling to make an impact.

However, just before halftime, Wolves found hope as Goncalo Guedes converted a cutback from Matt Doherty to narrow the lead to 2-1. This goal changed the dynamic, giving Wolves momentum heading into the second half.

Wolves emerged with increased energy after the break and nearly equalized when Nelson Semedo‘s cross was deflected towards goal, only for Josh Hinshelwood to clear off the line in a crucial defensive effort.

The visitors continued to press, with Guedes missing a critical opportunity to level the score. Brighton capitalized on this by extending their lead when Ferdi Kadioglu netted a rebound following Danny Welbeck‘s initial attempt, making it 3-1.

Despite this setback, Wolves continued to push and managed to reduce the deficit once more through Tommy Doyle, who fired a powerful shot in off the crossbar. Ultimately, Brighton’s defense held firm to see out the match.

Brighton’s head coach, Fabian Hurzeler, expressed relief at reaching the next stage, acknowledging errors that provided Wolves opportunities and emphasized learning from these mistakes. The victory continues Brighton’s strong start under Hurzeler, remaining unbeaten across league and cup matches.

Meanwhile, Wolves’ manager, Gary O'Neil, focused on the positive aspects of his team’s performance, expressing confidence that improved game management would eventually lead to better results.

Looking ahead, Brighton is set to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, while Wolves are scheduled to go up against Aston Villa. Fans can anticipate an exciting draw for the Carabao Cup fourth round, with fixtures scheduled for the week commencing October 28.